JUST A QUICK NOTE BEFORE READ THE FOLLOWING NEWS IN NEWSPAPER *THE NEWS INTERNATIONAL* PUBLISHED AS ON December 07, 2015 - Dream City Gwadar - www.DreamCityGwadar.com
THAT SIR SULTAN MUHAMMAD SHAH AGA KHAN 48TH IMAM OF SHIA IMAMI ISMAILI CONTRIBUTE IN 1958 WHICH IS NOT CORRECT. THE CURRENT 49TH IMAM OF THE TIME PRINCE KARIM AGA KHAN CONTRIBUTED FOR BUYING GWADAR FROM OMAN IN 1958. PLEASE NOTED. Raj Amin.
Gwadar Port: Harbinger of prosperity for Baloch people
Pakistan had identified Gwadar as a port site as far back as 1954 when Gwadar was still under the Omani rule. After 200 years of Omani rule, Pakistan purchased Gwadar from Oman for $3 million on 8 September 1958. Most of the money for the purchase from Oman came from donations, with Prince Sultan Mohammad Shah, the reigning Aga Khan of that time, being the leading contributor. Pakistan-Oman agreement had two important clauses: All Balochistan would form catchment for recruiting Omani forces; and Resources of Gwadar would be further developed.
As a result, the Baloch people constitute a major part of Omani forces. At that time, Gwadar was a small and underdeveloped fishing village with a population of a few thousand, now it is a sprawling township with a population of 80,000.
In this era of globalisation no country could afford to live in isolation. Pakistan is actively pursuing various regional connectivity projects like TAPI, CASA 1000, IP, Torkham-Jalalabad-Kabul motorway, ECO container project, etc. During the mid-1950s Pakistan approached the United States and in mid-1970s it approached erstwhile USSR for developing Gwadar port, but both did not show any interest. Ultimately, it is the all-weather friend China that has come up to realise this project. The Phase I of Gwadar Port was developed by the Government of Pakistan at a cost of $248 million. The Phase II at a projected cost of $932 million is under construction. China has been instrumental in design of the project. China is providing approximately 80% of the cost of the port in the shape of grants and soft loans. Over 500 Chinese experts and workers are working on the project.
Benefits of Gwadar projects are by no means likely to remain restricted to China and Pakistan. The entire region is destined to benefit from it. A trans-regional facility is propping up that will drastically cut down distances between various destinations, create new routes and provide port access to a number of landlocked countries of Asia, through shortest land route. The Gwadar Port is a warm-water, deep-sea port, it would remain functional throughout the year.
It is a major transit destination in the Chinese concept of One Belt One Road, and a vital node of Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Seeing the relevance of the project, Iran, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have shown their willingness to join the CPEC project. In February 2013, Iran announced that it would set up a $4 billion oil refinery in Gwadar. Gwadar has the potential to acquire the status of a centre piece as a gateway to the Strait of Hormuz and improving the exiting links to the Caspian Region, Long-term Planning Document of CPEC aims at inducting any investor — coming from any corner of the World — who wants to be a partner and use this gateway.
The Gwadar Port is owned by Gwadar Port Authority and operated by state-run Chinese firm — the China Overseas Port Holding Company (COPHC). Chief minister Balochistan is the ex-officio head of this gigantic project. Incumbent CM Dr Abdul Malik Baloch decided on October 11, 2015 to engage the local people in major projects, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), to remove their sense of deprivation. The CM has directed to pay price of the land to owners before starting work on projects, land acquisition has been done at generous prices to benefit the local land owners, and compensation paid is many times over the market price.
The CM also opined that the CPEC would boost economic activities and create a large number of jobs in the region; and the people of Gwadar should be the major beneficiary of the port and associated projects. “Balochistan is a very important province of the country and Gwadar is the heart of Balochistan. Therefore, the people of Gwadar are entitled to get all basic civic facilities,” he said. Since a major bulk of two-way flow of goods between western China and Central Asia and Gwadar will use overland trade route of Balochistan, the province shall have a regular income of millions of dollars in transit fee.
A 50-bed hospital in Gwadar would be made functional soon. Other people friendly projects include setting up of girls colleges, water filtration plant for clean drinking water, making Gwadar city clean and providing facilities for fish export and cross-border trade. The federal government is in the process of setting up facilities related to immigration, customs and trade in Gwadar, Mand, Panjgur and Mashkel areas.
Currently, Pakistan has two main operating international deep-sea ports: Karachi Port and Port Qasim. During the coming years, their capacity expansion programmes are unlikely to keep pace with the expected growth in demand, resulting in a need for a third port to fill the gap. In particular, the Karachi Port has significant physical limitations. These limitations result mainly from its location, within the city of Karachi. Though Port Qasim has a large physical space for expansion, its possible speed of development is hampered by its upstream location, which is more than 40kms from the open sea, resulting in long turnaround times for visiting ships. Against this background, it was deemed timely to construct a third deep-sea port for Pakistan so as to ensure that national development is not hampered by a lack of national port capacity in the future.
Gwadar deep sea port is the second great monument of Pakistan-China friendship. Port is strategically important to China because it will enable China to move its trade goods more safely, reliably and faster. Currently, 60 percent of China’s oil is transported by ship from the Persian Gulf to Shanghai, at a distance of more than 16,000 kilometres. The journey takes two to three months. Using Gwadar port instead will reduce the distance to less than 5000kms.
Although some analysts claim that China intends to establish a naval presence at Gwadar, others argue that China will be cautious about such a development. China may not wish to provoke a significant reaction from both the United States and India. And with a Pakistan Navy Base at Ormara and Pakistan Air Force’s Forward Operating Base at Pasni, there is no need for additional naval or air base for protecting the Gwadar port.
Development and operationalisation of port is poised to usher an era of prosperity for the people of Gwadar in particular and the entire Balochistan in general. Gwadar port is expected to generate billions of dollars in revenues and create at least two million jobs. According to the 18th Constitutional Amendment, the 7th National Finance Commission Award and Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan package, local populations shall be given priority for these jobs, and major chunk of revenue would also go to the provincial government.

Spanning over 1000 acres of land, the Gwadar Golden Palms is the zealous vision of Mr. Sadruddin Hashwani, after Zaver Pearl Continental Hotel at Gwadar. Surrounded by the pristine beauty of the Makran coastline, the township is one of most prominent projects situated at the western end of the city, and overlooking the Gwadar West Bay. Surrounding the harbor is a series of zones, with commercial, residential and amenity areas, the Gwadar Golden Palm is the symbol of Gwadar's meteoric rise and the grand intent of our truly unprecedented master plan.

Meinhardt, a Singapore based urban design company, has planned The Golden Palms with a meticulous attention to every detail.

Gwadar Golden Palms promises a wealth of quality amenities, breathtaking vistas, embodying the expectations of the modern professional and luxurious lifestyle to cater to the needs of the future residents of the city.

The scheme is divided into four quadrants or Zones, named after four palm families:

* Orania
* Scheelea
* Areca
* Salacca

Gwadar Golden Palms is an unprecedented offering at an unimaginable scale. The vision behind the concept is to create a world class destination for residents, visitors and businessmen.

Gwader deep sea port would be a befitting response to the problem of direct link from Central Asia to the India Ocean for the circulation of goods.

Gwader has always been connected with our [Ismaili] history. There are early Farmans of Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah asking the Ismailis of Gwader to learn Urdu and Persian instead of Gujrati. There is also a series of correspondence mentioning Gwader from the time of Imam Aga Hassanali Shah. Hopefully this correspondence and related archives will be scanned and made available this year on ismaili.net

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif reached Gwadar on Sunday where he inaugurated the shipment of trade goods from Gwadar Port to international markets, marking the historic launch of trade activity through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

During his day-long visit to Gwadar, the prime minister addressed a ceremony marking the launch of the first mega pilot trade cargo.

PM Nawaz while addressing the ceremony emphasised Pakistan’s commitment to China’s One Belt One Road initiative. “We will leave no stone unturned in ensuring the CPEC and all the projects under its umbrella are materialised within the given time,” he said.

“This idea was conceived only two years ago, and this day marks the breaking of the dawn of a new era.”

In an attempt to put the concerns of smaller provinces to rest, PM Nawaz firmly reiterated “CPEC is for entire Pakistan and no region or province will be left out of it.”

Balochistan Chief Minister (CM) Nawab Sanaullah Zehri addressing the ceremony said, “Due to the government’s hectic efforts, the active participation of our security forces and all-out cooperation fo the people of Balochistan, we have succeeded in curbing anti-state elements, and the law and order situation has improved.”

Moreover, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong told the ceremony today, “This the first time that a trade convoy successfully passed through the western part of Pakistan from the north to the south. It proves the connectivity of the local roads and the realisation of the concept of one corridor with multiple passages.”

“This is the first time that the Gwadar port is exporting containers to overseas destinations. It proves the port has restored it designed handling capacity,” he said. “This is also the first time that Pakistan and China co-organised a trade convoy through Pakistan to Gwadar port.”

Zehri’s claims come a day after a brutal attack on a shrine in Balochistan’s Khuzdar area claimed at least 52 lives and injured over 100 other people.

Director General Inter-Services Public Relations Asim Bajwa said the first mega trade convoy of containers has arrived from China and will be loaded onto ships.

The trade caravan reached Gwadar from China under the strict security cover of Pakistan Army and other security agencies and would now be shipped to its next export destinations.

“This is the onset of the progress that has been awaited for years. But now this journey will continue till the times to come,” the prime minister house said in a statement on Saturday.

Gwadar is said to be nature’s gift to Pakistan and Chinese friendship and cooperation has made it more valuable to both the countries. “We are crossing new milestone into a new era of international relations,” the statement added.

Gwadar Port is rich with new possibilities not only for Pakistan and China but also for the rest of the world, with a large scope of import and export activity from Central Asia to the Middle East.

The shipment of first trade cargo from Gwadar to the international market heralds a changed Pakistan.

Starting its journey from Kashghar, the trade cargo reached Gwadar safely from Gilgit-Baltistan after travelling across the country – a manifestation of the image of a peaceful Pakistan.

Every region of Pakistan is slated to benefit from the CPEC, which is a comprehensive project of peace and economic progress. Besides Pakistan and China, Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asian states will also be able to take advantage of the project.

Besides enhancing communication network, supply, trade and cultural links, the Corridor will also help promote peace, resources and harmony in the region.

The government has already allocated land for Gwadar Free Trade Zone and has also announced concessions for Gwadar Port and Free Trade Zone in Balochistan.

Moreover, the projects of Exclusive Industrial Park Processing Zone and Mineral Economic Zone are also being executed on a priority basis.

-Other development projects for Gwadar-

A project worth Rs 25 billion is being executed for the development of Gwadar city keeping in view its importance. The federal government gave a free hand to the provincial government in that regard that designed the project considering Gwadar’s basic needs. The provincial government is implementing the project and the resources are being provided by the federal government.

The federal government provided resources for the installation of a plant to make the sea water drinkable, besides launching an additional Rs 11.5 billion projects for clean drinking water to Gwadar during 2015-16.

The quality of underground water is also being improved and the existing 50-bed hospital is being upgraded to a 300-bed facility.

A university, and a technical and vocational training institute are also being set up in Gwadar to produce required manpower. The locals will be preferred for enrollment in these institutes.

Under CPEC, the government has prioritised energy and road infrastructure. To meet the electricity needs, a 300-megawatt power plant is being installed in Gwadar that will also be linked to the national grid.

A Special Security Force has been raised to provide a security cover to the Chinese investors. Gwadar is also being made a safe city that will boost investors’ confidence.

The construction of a new international airport is also underway in Gwadar to facilitate the movement of investors. Moreover, Gwadar city is also being connected with rest of the country through road and rail networks.

Facility was inaugurated on March 20, 2007 by Musharraf; Gwadar Port now features prominently among the 4,764 similar cargo handling facilities located in 196 countries around the world

Extract:

History: On September 8, 1958, Pakistan purchased the small and underdeveloped fishing village of Gwadar from Oman for Rs 5.5 billion (equivalent to US$1.1 billion in 2015 dollars). While Sultan Mohammad Shah, the then reigning Aga Khan, dished out the largest contribution for the cause, the remainder was paid through tax revenue.

The Agreement had two important clauses: (1) Balochistan would form a military recruitment source for Oman; as a result Balochis constitute a major part of Omani forces, and (2) the resources of Gwadar would be further developed.

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Everyone busy taking the credit for #Gawadarport. Lets take a appreciate Prince Karim Aga Khan.
On 8 September 1958, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan purchased the #Gwadar enclave from Oman for 1 million dollars, and gifted to Pakistan and it officially became part of Pakistan

The face of Pakistan is rapidly changing it becomes one of the world's fastest growing emerging Economics. Pakistan will soon be connected to China through a $62 Billion Mega Rail and Road Networks this Road Network also known as China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The project was initiated in April 2015 on a historic visit to Pakistan by china's president Xi Jinping. The $ 62 billion corridor includes a budget of infrastructure projects covering the energy, Road, Rail and urban transit sectors. China are creating special economic zones in Pakistan where businesses will benefit from a ZERO Tax Rate.

The first free zone was launched on 29th of Jan 2018 the Gawadar Special Economic Zone. Un precedented Chinese Financial and construction efforts are rapidly developing in Pakistan strategically located sea port of Gawadar. Transforming Gawadar Port into wolds largest transit and transshipment cargo Facility.

The deep water lies at the Junction of the Oil- rich middle East, central Asia and South Asia. At presents the sea rute between Pakistan and China province is 12,000 km CPEC reduce this distance down to 3,281 km. CPEC has been catalyst for Gawadar city development and also Chinese is building the new Gawadar International Airport the only Airport in Pakistan capable of handing A380's.
Constructions also underway on the cities 300 MW Coal Power Plant, a Water Desalination Plant and New 300 bed Hospital further $ 4.5 Billion Chinese investment to help construction of Road Networks, Electricity, Infrastructure, Hotels and industrial zones. Under CPEC railway will get $ 5 Billion investment by 2020. CPEC railway network will connect Chinese and Pakistan Ports through Khunjerab Pass and over 700,000 Jobs will be created in Pakistan between 2015 - 2030 because of CPEC Pakistan is set to become the Next Asian Tiger Insha Allah.after the brief benefits i will tell you that all the credit goes to Mr Aga Khan yes i am saying about His Highness Shah Kharim Al Hussaini (Aga Khan IV) the 49th (Imam) Spiritual Leader of Ismaili Muslim who are also known as Aga Khani Muslim. Now you people thinks that what is the relation or concern between CPEC and Aga Khan.

First i would like to discuss or tell about the contribution and work of His Highness ancestor for the gaining of Pakistan that how they took interest to gain a restrictive Land for Muslim.

I would like to point out the efforts of the Grand Father of His Highness Aga Khan IV.cSir Aga Khan III for the creation of Pakistan. Born in Karachi on Nov 2, 1877, Sir Sultan Mohammed Shah Aga Khan was a visionary leader who guided the Muslim nationalist movement, nursing the All-India Muslim League into a strong, united organisation which played an important role in the evolution of Pakistan.

In 1906, he helped in founding the Muslim League and remained its president for seven years. On Oct 1, 1906, the Aga Khan led a delegation of 35 Muslim leaders of India to Shimla and presented a memorandum on behalf of the Muslims of South Asia.cHe presented an address to the Viceroy with a clear message which was as follows: “Muslims of India should not be regarded as a mere minority community but a separate nation, whose rights and obligations should be guaranteed by a statue and this was sought to be achieved through adequate and separate representation for Muslims both on local bodies and in legislative councils.”– The Memoirs of Aga Khan.cOn Oct 24, 1906, he wrote a letter to Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk, which went down in the history of South Asian Muslims because it ignited the Muslim League under whose banner the Muslims won their freedom and Pakistan was created.

Sir Sultan contributed vast amounts of personal wealth and energy toward the creation of Pakistan.cHis contacts with the heads of state and the international elite helped gather world support. Prince Aly Khan, his eldest son, served as Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN.cIn 1911, the Aga Khan took it upon himself to collect funds to establish the Aligarh Muslim University. Subsequently, he also established and funded education and health institutions across South Asia.We must at least recognise the great Muslim leader by remembering his name amongst the list of leaders responsible for the creation of Pakistan. Now i am coming to the point of subject taht the Gawadar was purchased by Aga Khan III Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah from Oman and donate to Pakistan. For almost 150 years or more Gwadar remained a part of Oman. The Omani government was concerned with the safety of the minorities living in Gwadar. For the protection of the Hindus and Agha Khanis, a compound with boundary walls on four sides was constructed.

Within it the Agha khanis had their “Jamat Khana. The Jamat Khana still exists to this day. Some of Old Ismaili residential of Gawadar saying that our Imam sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan said to our ancestors that don't let Gawadar because one day it becomes a world

biggest economical city. Because of His Highness prudent and cautious thoughts now Gawadar is the part of pakistan. Furthermore the Grand Son of Aga Khan III, Prince Karim Aga Khan also take personal interest for the development of Pakistan now a days he Launched different types of projects in Pakistan through Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). it works in different fields Education, Ecnomic, Health, Agriculture, Culture and other different aspects. Aga Khan University Karachi is the Brighten face of development in Educational and Health sector in Pakistan is also run under AKDN.

On 8 September 1958, Pakistan purchased the Gwadar enclave from Oman for 5.5 billion Rupees (equivalent to US$1.1 billion). The Agreement had two important clauses: (1) All Balochistan would form a military recruitment source for Oman; as a result, Balochis constitute a major part of Omani forces, and (2) the resources of Gwadar would be further developed. Most of the money for the purchase came from donations, with Prince Karim Agha Khan, the greatest contributor.

From the sky, Gwadar looks like a dust bowl as the ATR aircraft, which regularly flies along the Makran coast from Karachi, circles in for landing. The new airport, currently being designed, will be the largest in Pakistan once it is completed, but for now one has to settle for the old airport. Its VIP section is used often as ministers, senators and even the prime minister and the army chief regularly visit this once sleepy fishing port. They have all proclaimed Gwadar to be the jewel of the upcoming China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The drive from the airport along the newly built corniche (a wide road bordering the blue sea) is promising. However, other than this new road, there is very little visible development. Billboards proclaiming future housing estates are still to be found everywhere. Land speculation is continuing at a frantic pace, with property being bought and resold at exorbitant rates. However, a recent ad taken out by the Gwadar Development Authority in one of the Urdu papers has just declared a major chunk of these “housing estates” to be fraudulent.

The vision of a city of skyscrapers rising out of the sand is still far from being realised.

Sir: Reportedly, 2400 square miles of the Gwadar area came under the domain of the Sultan of Oman in 1947. It was administered by Great Britain, and fifty percent of the revenue from the area went to the Sultan. Eventually, an American company identified Gwadar’s potential as a deep port. Through this port, 25 varieties of fish could be exported in significant quantities every year.

The Shah of Iran tried to acquire this land through the US’ influence in Britain, but in 1956, Pakistani Foreign Minister Malik Feroze Khan Noon decided that this land had to be acquired at all costs.

This role was assigned to Madam Viqar-un-Nisa Noon, who played a pivotal role in convincing the British government to hand over Gwadar to Pakistan. After two whole years of hectic efforts, the Sultan of Oman agreed to hand Gwadar over to Pakistan for $3 million, which was mostly paid by Prince Karim Agha Khan. This is how Pakistan got Gwadar on September 8, 1958.In 2002, General Pervez Musharraf planned the construction of the Gwadar deep port, which ultimately developed into the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The concerned authorities must check the official records and honour those who were able to secure Gwadar for Pakistan in 1958, and honour them. The media should also play its role in this regard.

THE purchase of Gwadar from Oman was an act of great wisdom by the then government of Pakistan. In fact this visionary decision was a master stroke of strategy that can compare to the United States’ purchase of Alaska from Russia.

The government of Prime Minister Feroze Khan Noon negotiated the purchase of Gwadar in 1958 from the then Sultan of Oman for Rs5.5 billion which was an astronomical two billion dollars!

The Pakistan government then ordered the Pakistan Navy to send a ship to its new possession. The navy’s light cruiser, Babur, sailed under Commodore M. Asif Alavi’s command to take over this territory on Dec 8, 1958. The then Aga Khan provided a sizeable amount of the funding for this purchase.

All Pakistanis, particularly youth, must remember and observe this day every year to pay tribute to our heroes.